Health Care Reform: Stay Informed

While the future of health care reform remains uncertain, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York is committed to keeping you up to date on the latest news. Our goal is to help you understand what health care reform means for you.

The proposed bill will NOT affect 2018 coverage, nor access to care. As changes continue to be proposed to the Affordable Care Act, you can be confident that we will work with our members, groups and brokers to help them understand their options. Please bookmark this page for the latest updates on health care reform from BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.

Health Care Reform News

State Budget Provisions Affecting Health Plans

April 5, 2019

The recently passed New York State 2019-20 budget includes a number of provisions that affect health plans and the coverage they offer to employers and consumers.

As part of New York’s state budget deliberations, the Legislature is considering a number of proposals from the Governor that would affect health plans and the coverage they offer to employers and consumers. Here is a summary of some key items, with our positions on them.

On October 3rd, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing the opioid crisis. The House had previously passed the compromise, and it will now be sent to President Trump, who is expected to sign the bill into law.

On July 24, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Final Rule which allows for the 2017 risk adjustment payment transfer process to proceed. The rule reinstates the risk adjustment methodology for the 2017 benefit year.

On July 8, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it was putting risk adjustment collections and payments on hold, saying a district court ruling in a case challenging the program’s formula required them to do so. Hanging in the balance are payments to health plans which have higher risk members in the individual and small group markets for 2017.

Yesterday, (3/21/18) Congressional leaders announced agreement on a $1.3 trillion spending bill to keep the federal government funded through the rest of the fiscal year. Since October, the government has been operating on five continuing budget resolutions, the most recent of which expires on March 23.

Today, the Trump administration issued a proposed rule to extend the duration of short-term health plans. However, even if it becomes final, the federal rule will not affect New York because the state does not allow such short-term policies.